wow a lot of kane lovin going on he has been invisible

And Hossa is nearly 38 years old. He should not (and cannot) be expected to carry the load offensively. Anything can happen in a 7 game series, but I don't see the Hawks (as currently constructed) beating San Jose to get out of the West. Minnesota and every other team still have to prove it in the Spring, but San Jose looks to me like the most complete team in the West. They have size, speed, skill, experience, youth, and a big solid goalie in Jones. That blocker save on Hartman was HUGE!
- EnzoD

nice pic might want to update

Third line of Sharp-Vermette-Tuevo was pretty darn good, IIRC.
- EnzoD

Every time the Hawks won the Cup they had the better 3rd and 4th lines of anyone they played in the playoffs.

As simplistic as it may seem there is no more telling stat than goal differential.
- Al

Reference: Colorado Avalanche

>Things I see that are lingering issues that need improvement
>Slot play at both ends
>Hawk Dmen should at least be able to tie-up the sticks of the opponent by lifting their sticks up into the air -- the woodchop down on top of the shaft does nothing -- opponent is still in complete control of his stick
>Hawk forwards as a group seldom screen the goalie or are successful at retrieving rebounds
>Hawks as a team have yet to discover the redirect from the high slot as a weapon
>Some good comments on the power play -- the overall pace of it is snail-like and stale
>Would like to see some PP plays originate from the deep corner along the goal line instead of the half boards -- many, many more passing options
>#2 needs to get it together -- his puck management and passing have been far, far below his "average" game -- same for #4
>#72 needs to shoot the puck a lot more -- looking for the tap-in from a pass too much
>Think this group really needs something new -- could be a player(s), schemes, mental training approaches, or all of the above
- SnapitUpstairs

These and other significant shortcomings are why the Hawks miss the dearly departed Andrew Shaw a whole bunch.

Reference: Colorado Avalanche
- RickJ

Interesting/surprising for this year are Preds and Stars.

>Things I see that are lingering issues that need improvement
>Slot play at both ends
>Hawk Dmen should at least be able to tie-up the sticks of the opponent by lifting their sticks up into the air -- the woodchop down on top of the shaft does nothing -- opponent is still in complete control of his stick
>Hawk forwards as a group seldom screen the goalie or are successful at retrieving rebounds
>Hawks as a team have yet to discover the redirect from the high slot as a weapon
>Some good comments on the power play -- the overall pace of it is snail-like and stale
>Would like to see some PP plays originate from the deep corner along the goal line instead of the half boards -- many, many more passing options
>#2 needs to get it together -- his puck management and passing have been far, far below his "average" game -- same for #4
>#72 needs to shoot the puck a lot more -- looking for the tap-in from a pass too much
>Think this group really needs something new -- could be a player(s), schemes, mental training approaches, or all of the above
- SnapitUpstairs

This is a great post. I might add that the Hawks could use some size and grit as in players that actually follow through on their checks. In terms of height, weight and age, the Hawks rank as the 3rd shortest team, the 2nd lightest team and 7th oldest team as per Mirtle

http://mirtle.blogspot.ca...eight-weight-and.html?m=1

As I watch the games this year, the lack of size and physical play make me wonder if a legit 1st line LW for Toews and Hossa is all that is needed. The game plan against the Hawks is the same for every team we face. Dump the puck in and punish us along the boards and in front of the net. There is actually no opposing player that fears getting hit in front of the net or along the boards. This is partly on Bowman and partly on Q. I am sorry for being so negative but this team looks to be the weakest I have seen since the Toews/Kane Era began. They are certainly the least physical. That would be OK if they were what they think they are - a puck possession team - but they are not.

Interesting/surprising for this year are Preds and Stars.
- Al

Exactly half the league is in negative numbers and many of those are north of -20.

This is a great post. I might add that the Hawks could use some size and grit as in players that actually follow through on their checks. In terms of height, weight and age, the Hawks rank as the 3rd shortest team, the 2nd lightest team and 7th oldest team as per Mirtle

http://mirtle.blogspot.ca...eight-weight-and.html?m=1

As I watch the games this year, the lack of size and physical play make me wonder if a legit 1st line LW for Toews and Hossa is all that is needed. The game plan against the Hawks is the same for every team we face. Dump the puck in and punish us along the boards and in front of the net. There is actually no opposing player that fears getting hit in front of the net or along the boards. This is partly on Bowman and partly on Q. I am sorry for being so negative but this team looks to be the weakest I have seen since the Toews/Kane Era began. They are certainly the least physical. That would be OK if they were what they think they are - a puck possession team - but they are not.
- FourOrr

The league has gotten younger in general over the years and the flat cap makes it more so that way.

The Hawks are only old in terms of if you factor in the amount of games played and mins by the core. They only player in the core past his prime is Hossa....Everyone else is technically just entering their prime if you factor in age by position.

This team has been always able to turn it on and off when needed but the issue now is their best game isn't as good and on their off nights they are worse.

That said the balance of power has shifted to the East finally. So the fortunate part for the Hawks is the best team in their division has no playoff success to speak of and a head coach who loses more Game 7's, and mostly on home ice, than any coach in the modern era of hockey.

Kane's interview after practice today. Comes right out and says that they have counted on being able to control the play, and that [since they are struggling with that] sometimes you have to adjust your game and change the way you play. Says that when teams change the way they are defending, they need to adjust their game. Harps on PP, too, and need to change it to build energy and excitement.

Wonder whether he expects the players to do it on their own or he is speaking to the "system" or both.

https://www.nhl.com/black...on/t-277437096/c-48976203

Seems to not have the same level of confidence in their ability to make it work like you've always seen the veterans have in the past.

Kane's interview after practice today. Comes right out and says that they have counted on being able to control the play, and that
- pdx2ord[since they are struggling with that] sometimes you have to adjust your game and change the way you play. Says that when teams change the way they are defending, they need to adjust their game. Harps on PP, too, and need to change it to build energy and excitement.

Wonder whether he expects the players to do it on their own or he is speaking to the "system" or both.

https://www.nhl.com/black...on/t-277437096/c-48976203

Seems to not have the same level of confidence in their ability to make it work like you've always seen the veterans have in the past.

Agreed.......... some "red flags" there in Kaner's remarks. Changes in approach ?????

The PP has been lousy even in the CUP years. Poor entries, the NEW drop back
entry that everybody knows is coming to Kane, the lack of movement, very little down low penetration, the cycle at the top of the umbrella at the blue line, only 1 man in front of the net, never a variation of possibly 2...... etc.
It's no wonder why we never get the tip-ins from the high slot, the best scoring area on the ice.......... nobody is coached to be there !! It's the same plan all the time....... get the puck to the points and generate shots. Unfortunately, every team has learned this system and it's very easy to defend..... PRESSURE THE POINTS !! And therefore NO SHOTS ! That rover thing they try is ridiculous but at least it's something different that teams have to be aware of. Unfortunately it's always Duncan Keith that plays the rover and that's a lose lose because he really can't shoot very well. If Hossa played that role, we might see some improvement. Whatever............ Kane's points are a wake up call !!

The league has gotten younger in general over the years and the flat cap makes it more so that way.

The Hawks are only old in terms of if you factor in the amount of games played and mins by the core. They only player in the core past his prime is Hossa....Everyone else is technically just entering their prime if you factor in age by position.

This team has been always able to turn it on and off when needed but the issue now is their best game isn't as good and on their off nights they are worse.

That said the balance of power has shifted to the East finally. So the fortunate part for the Hawks is the best team in their division has no playoff success to speak of and a head coach who loses more Game 7's, and mostly on home ice, than any coach in the modern era of hockey.
- Al

Younger and also bigger and faster. Makes it a lot harder for the Hawks to play there quick transition game when the rest of the league is faster and can skate with the now. The Hawks now have less talent and haven't adjusted to this. Much like the Pens last year all the Wild do is skate skate skate all over the ice. They play fast play 200ft. The Hawks system advantage is gone.

LA and Colorado have a pretty entertaining game so far. Young goalie in for Avs. Would like to Panarin shoot more for the Hawks. An Ovechkin-like shooting mindset might spark something.

Younger and also bigger and faster. Makes it a lot harder for the Hawks to play there quick transition game when the rest of the league is faster and can skate with the now. The Hawks now have less talent and haven't adjusted to this. Much like the Pens last year all the Wild do is skate skate skate all over the ice. They play fast play 200ft. The Hawks system advantage is gone.
- bhawks2241

Well the Hawks simply copied the Detroit way...fast pace puck possession game and had the players to do so. Back in 2010 and even 2013 most teams couldn't play that way because they didn't have the personnel, now everyone tries to play a puck possession game and more teams can than before. The league in general is bigger and faster.

The Hawks have been thought of as "too small" for many years....But there is a difference between being small and playing that way.

I see your points and for the most part agree but make no mistake if you asked all 30 NHL head coaches what "system" they want to play everyone will mention puck possession in the description.

Hawks aren't as fast as a group as in the past concerning skating but the reason for their success was because they played faster than anyone else... They had the best passing from the back end and when they lost the puck they could get it back. Neither has been the case the past 2 years.

Exactly half the league is in negative numbers and many of those are north of -20.
- RickJ

wild = +54....I mean seriously

wild = +54....I mean seriously

- bogiedoc

That team scores goals now, I think they have scored 5 goals or more in 8 of their last 17 games.

Very good game going on now between them and the Flames. Dubnyk is their real backstop, doesn't get beaten on anything soft.

That team scores goals now, I think they have scored 5 goals or more in 8 of their last 17 games.

Very good game going on now between them and the Flames. Dubnyk is their real backstop, doesn't get beaten on anything soft.
- RickJ

Dubnyk is very good and so is their defense. Suter is the most under rated big money player in the league.

Habs - Duchene
https://twitter.com/thefo...status/827016463777140736
Pagnota retwetted Bernstein
Adding some gasoline to the Habs/Duchene rumour fire is this...
Bernstein
Nice lineup of scouts for COL/LAK (shocker). For my #Habs amis, MTL Director of Pro Scouting on list this evening.

First
- hocktock

you got me with this. well played!

Well Calgary is destroying Minny , maybe they are not as invincible as some on here believe ..

The guy's been gonzo for what...? 8 years?

No...

I won't thank Tallon for what's been accomplished since '09
- ArlingtonRob

Without the core group there would be "0" Cups. Tallon is responsible for the core.

The Bowmans have handed out the HORRIBLE deals. That is why this team STINKS!

Lucky the Goaltending was hot early part of season to get them a good record.

How's the Danault trade looking?

Ladd trade?

How about the GREAT Timonen trade?


Funny you cheerleaders/fans have ZERO clue!

Carry on.

Wanted to follow-up on comments made about Quenneville's coaching style as it relates to his defensive pairings. Here's a graph from hockey-graphs.com that shows how NHL teams have been improving the balance of the handedness of their defensemen. The graph shows the percentage of available ice time played by defensive pairings where a defenseman plays on his off-side. So in 2008, for roughly half the game someone on defense was playing on their off-side. This percentage has fallen to 25% in 2016.



This is true for the Hawks as well. In roughly 25% of their defensive 5v5 ice time, someone is playing on their off-side -- almost always Hjalmarsson. Here's 5v5 ice time pairings for the Hawks D:

Well Calgary is destroying Minny , maybe they are not as invincible as some on here believe ..
- oldduffman

First game the Wild have lost in regulation time on the road since end of November. Real good physical game; ballerinas were told to stay home.

You're insane .


Hossa was all Bowman . No Bowman No Hossa No Cups.

You obviously don't consider the $ portion of trades.

Dale has been gone for 7 years . Dale has won nothing in 7 years.
- mrpaulish

Truth be told JJ predicted Hossa was an option if Havlat's deal got hung up which it did... And if JJ thought it up I'm sure it would have crossed the mind of an NHL GM.

Still can't forgive him for the Saad deal. There's only 4 guys I'd keep over Saad.

As simplistic as it may seem there is no more telling stat than goal differential.
- Al

Agree with you Al...

...goal differential is the go to stat.